LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A proposal to build an AI data center near Boulder City has drawn opposition from dozens of homeowners concerned about electricity costs, heat and environmental impacts.
The project, called Townsite Solar 2, would be built near the Townsite Solar project south of I-11 in Boulder City. The data center would support AI and cloud computing services.
Electricity and heat concerns
Residents have expressed concern about how the data center would impact their electricity bills and local temperatures.
The developer said the facility will not use the city’s power grid and will acquire electricity from independent sources, according to FOX5 reporter Kim Passoth, who has been covering the story.
“The developer said that they will not be using the city’s power grid, that they’ll have their own source, that they’ll acquire it from independent sources,” Passoth said. “They said that the residents’ power bills should not be impacted in that regard.”
However, residents remain concerned about the heat generated by the data center. The facility would be more than two miles from the nearest home, but residents worry the heat could spread to their neighborhoods and increase air conditioning costs.
Studies from Arizona State University showed temperatures near data centers in Buckeye, Arizona, increased by one to two degrees in nearby homes.
Water and environmental impact
The developer said the only city water used would be wastewater for dust mitigation during construction. Potable water would only be used in bathrooms and kitchens.
Residents have also raised concerns about protected wildlife in the area, including desert tortoises and wetlands.
The developer said the project would include desert tortoise-friendly fencing and they would relocate tortoises if they came onto the property. One resident told Passoth he wants an independent study from an organization like UNLV to assess the project’s impact on the community.
Economic impact
The developer said the data center would generate $2.5 million in revenue for Boulder City in the first year and $1.5 million in the following years. The facility would employ up to 40 full-time workers with salaries exceeding $100,000.
Boulder City faces a financial gap, and the data center is one of multiple AI facilities proposed for the area to close it.
MORE: Boulder City residents oppose proposed data center
The developer said equipment in the data center would need to be replaced every three years. The project would operate under a 90-year lease, with the developer agreeing to restore the area to its original condition if the facility is no longer used.
Next steps
The developer has put the plan on hold until a May 20th Boulder City Planning Commission meeting. Developers of proposed Boulder City AI data center postpone application
Another proposed data center in Boulder City is expected to appear on the ballot in November.
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